# US 2017/0288604 A1 · Solar panel design assembly

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- Number: US 2017/0288604 A1
- Document ID: US20170288604A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/479,536
- Filed: 2017-04-05
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-05
- Inventors: Patrick Kenneth Powell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288604A1

## CPC

- H10F 77/00: Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass (constructional details of integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one element in which radiation controls the flow of current H10F39/00)
- H10F 19/80: Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells
- H10F 77/48: Back surface reflectors [BSR]
- H10F 77/488: {Reflecting light-concentrating means, e.g. parabolic mirrors or concentrators using total internal reflection}
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E 10/52: PV systems with concentrators
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A solar panel assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes a light-permeable panel, an opaque or solid region on the panel that at least partially blocks light from penetration through the panel, at least one solar array adjacent the panel, and at least one mirror situated such that at least some light permeating through the panel reflects off of the at least one mirror and onto the at least one solar array.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A solar panel assembly comprising:
a light-permeable panel;
an opaque or solid region on the panel that at least partially blocks light from penetration through the panel;
at least one solar array adjacent the panel; and
at least one mirror situated such that at least some light permeating through the panel reflects off of the at least one mirror and onto the at least one solar array.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar array is configured to convert light into usable energy.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The solar panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the usable energy is electric current.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mirror is non-flat.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mirror has at least one of a convex and a concave region.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the opaque or solid regions form a design.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar array is on a solar panel arranged behind a back side of the panel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The solar panel assembly of claim 7, wherein at least some light permeates through the panel directly to the at least one solar array.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The solar panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one mirror is arranged on the back side of the panel and is facing towards the solar panel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The solar panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one mirror is laterally aligned with the opaque or solid region.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The solar panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the opaque or solid region shields a portion of the solar panel, and the portion of the solar panel is free from the at least one solar array.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar array is on a back side of the panel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The solar panel assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one solar array is laterally aligned with the opaque or solid region.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The solar panel of claim 12, wherein the at least one mirror is arranged on a backing situated behind a back side of the panel and is facing towards the panel.

### Claim 15

A solar energy collecting system comprising:
a solar panel assembly, the solar panel assembly including a light-permeable panel, an opaque or solid region on the panel that at least partially blocks light from penetration through the panel, at least one solar array adjacent the panel, and at least one mirror situated such that at least some light permeating through the light-permeable panel impinges off of the mirror and reflects onto the solar array; and
a control system configured to control the solar panel assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The solar energy collecting system of claim 15, further comprising a communications system configured to receive signals and communicate the signals to the control system.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The solar energy collecting system of claim 15, further comprising an energy storage device configured to store energy collected by the solar panel assembly.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The solar energy collecting system of claim 15, further comprising an actuator configured to move the solar panel assembly.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The solar energy collecting system of claim 18, wherein the actuator is controlled by the control system.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The solar energy collecting system of claim 19, wherein the actuator is controlled by the control system to move the solar panel assembly to maximize the amount of energy collected by the solar panel assembly.